Established in 2007, the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award seeks to recognise a living author who has increased the public's understanding of US military history.

James Pritzker, founder and president of the library, said Atkinson's work has covered the history of World War Two right through to the modern conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

'His independent voice, tempered with respect and compassion, has earned high esteem not only from scholars, journalists and civilians on the home front but also the members of the armed forces about whom he writes,' Mr Pritzker added.

Atkinson, who is about to start work on the third volume of his trilogy on the US role in the liberation of Europe during World War Two, said it is 'simply thrilling' to receive the award.